Date of Award

2-26-1936

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Sociology and Anthropology

First Advisor

Dr. T. Earl Sullenger

Second Advisor

Dr. L. O. Taylor

Abstract

Social investigators are coming to regard the question of illegitimacy as a family problem rather than an isolated problem of individual disorganization. Lundberg and Lenroot in "Illegitimacy as a Child Welfare Problem" state: "Only within comparatively recent tines has illegitimacy come to be recognized as a definite social problem. Yet few topics relating to social welfare have as many divergent opinions. In its bearing upon social standards, especially those concerning family relationships, illegitimacy opens up a large field for discussion. It is a matter of prime importance in consideration of social and moral prophylaxis." The following study on illegitimacy attempts to show the social causes and the remedy of illegitimacy in the North Central States. The material used was selected at random from the files of the various Salvation Army Women's Homes and Hospitals in the North Central States. The case method technique was employed throughout the study. These maternity homes are located at Chicago, Illinois; Des Moines, Iowa; Omaha, Nebraska; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; St. Louis, Missouri; Nichita, Kansas and St. Paul Minnesota. Part I deals mainly with statistics on illegitimacy, occupation and educational status of unmarried mothers, the relationship of prostitution and illegitimacy, mentality of unmarried mothers and miscellaneous material. Part II is devoted to the social causes of illegitimacy, both in the continental United States and in the North Central States. In part III the introduction of the social studies into the elementary grades is suggested as a means of eliminating a certain amount of illegitimacy. During the last decade there has been many contributions to educational theory, mainly in the field of secondary education. The trend at the present time is to consider the curriculum in terms of educational aims and objectives rather than in standardized academic activities. This theory is now reaching down into the elementary systems.

Comments

Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Arts in the Department of Sociology of the Municipal University of Omaha. Copyright L. Thomas Utterback February 26, 1936.

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